A feature film in Tripura’s tribal language (Kokborak), Mathia, has been awarded the first prize in the feature film category at the 18th International Film Festival held in Warsaw from May 19 to May 25. Joseph Pulinthanath is the director of the film.

Festival director Ardrzej Jonuszewski in a communique from Poland informed director of the film Joseph Pulinthanath that Mathia had been awarded the first prize in the feature film category for its "realistic depiction of the culture and heritage of a community in India.

The story of Mathia was derived from a tribal folklore about two people — Banthu and Kwachwngti — who dreamt of marrying against the will of villagers. But the superstitious villagers branded Kwachwngti, the beautiful girl as a witch and decided to kill her.

The 130-minute-long  story of the two love-lorn tribals ends with Kwachwngti being taken for  facing the death sentence and Banthu remained standing, speechless. Earlier, Mathia was screened in Kolkata during the international cinema conference in February this year.

It was for the first time that a tribal language film from Tripura has earned a place in an international film festival. The film was shot in the interior-parts of the State where poverty-ridden villagers still believe in black-magic and kill their own people. It is an attempt to shed light on the age-old evil practice by the tribals and get it removed for ever by enlightening them with the modern thinking, Mr Pullianathanath said.

The news that Mathia has been awarded the first prize in an international film fest will definitely encourage other young filmakers of the region.

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